Chapter 68 - Volume 3 (2/2)

Tension runs through the arbor as Klanven easily doesn’t deny it. That man who’s about to stand up at any moment and leave, the princess who furrows her beautiful eyebrows without hiding her displeasure, His Highness Klanven who looks at the two with a smile, and I, who can’t do anything but stand shocked and look at the three of them. It’s chaos. This atmosphere, as if it can suddenly explode with any excuse, makes me nervous. Klanven’s amber eyes suddenly look at me.

「Filmina, what about you?」

「Huh?」

「I’m asking what you want to do. Of course, if you don’t want to, you can just refuse.」

At those words, the princess’s amber eyes and that man’s sunrise-colored eyes instantly face me. I reflexively stiffen at those extremely sharp, powerful gazes. ‘No no no, I’m not the bad guy here. There’s no reason to glare at me like this……’ Even if I say that, these two won’t listen to me.

「Filmina, please refuse.」

「Filmina, refuse.」

……They say almost the same thing to me. I’ve thought about this for a while now, but are these two actually close friends? If I ask them that, they’ll completely cut me off with 「Gimme a break!」 but as far as I can see, from today’s responses they look just like friends.

「There’s no reason why only you have to take on the role. You have no way of protecting yourself, let alone protecting His Highness. Just what are you thinking, jumping into a dangerous situation by yourself?」

「My apologies, but Agedilus is right. I don’t want to experience the fear of possibly losing an important friend of mine again.」

For starters, I wish you two would please calm down a little. Their responses are just because they’re thinking about me, but is it really alright to say these things when His Highness Klanven is right there in front of us? He’s just smiling, but I don’t know what he’s thinking underneath that smile.

However, these two are quite right. The only thing I can do to protect Klanven at the critical moment is, like I did a long time ago, use myself as a shield. I learnt basic housework and dressing myself from my wet nurse Suzette, so in that area I can do more than an amateur maidservant. But I’m sure I’m no match for an experienced one.

It’s absolutely unthinkable that I can carry out the important role of being Klanven’s helper. These two don’t even have to tell me that, I’ll reject it. Thinking that, the moment I open my mouth, my eyes suddenly meet Klanven’s. For some reason, I feel like I’ve lost my words. My voice won’t come out.

「I……」

Despite that, I somehow try to speak. Klanven crosses his arms on the table, looking back straight at me. For some reason, I strangely can’t take my eyes off of his gentle smile.

「That’s right. Becoming my helper means the possibility of you being exposed to danger is very high. You can’t accept that so easily.」

「Uncle, then……」

「Clementine, calm down just a bit. I’m talking to Filmina right now.」

Then, for the first time he makes a bitter smile as he says that to the princess, before smiling at me.

「Filmina, then why don’t we do this? If you accept the role of my helper, I’ll grant your wish. As as long as I’m capable of doing so, though.」

「……!」

I don’t know what I should reply with. As reluctant as I am, that’s a proposal I haven’t even asked for. Or, to be precise, perhaps I should say it’s a proposal I can’t go against.

It almost slipped my mind, but Klanven has taken something hostage from me. My one and only daisy bookmark.

「Your Highness, please stay within your limits even while messing around. Do you think my wife can be lured by such a childish promise? ……..Filmina?」

That man calls my name dubiously. Not responding to that, I look at Klanven’s amber eyes, shining golden.

「——I would humbly like to accept the role of Your Highness’s helper.」